FAIRBANKS – Great Northwest Athletic Conference basketball returns to the Patty Center this weekend, as both the Alaska men's and women's basketball teams are in action as they continue their conference home slate.
The women host Simon Fraser and Western Washington, having won six of their last seven games and five of their seven home games this season. The men play Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington, as they look to end a three-game losing streak.
Date: Jan. 22 & 24
Opponents: Simon Fraser & Western Washington (Women) / Northwest Nazarene & Central Washington (Men)
Time: 5:15 p.m. (Women) / 7:30 p.m. (Men) – both days
Watch Live: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/uaf/
Live Stats: Women | Men
Twitter Updates: @alaskananooks
Women's Basketball
Despite losing its last game against Alaska Anchorage, the Nanook women have played exceptionally well this season. They got off to the best start in their history since joining the GNAC and enjoyed a six-game winning streak until last Saturday's matchup. Even in the loss to the Seawolves, Alaska refused to roll-over and outplayed Anchorage in the second half, outscoring the No. 5 team in the nation, 44-36.
Jordan Wilson and Benissa Bulaya lead the Nanooks offensively, as they score 16.3 and 10.8 points per game, respectively. Bulaya also has 5.1 assists per game, which is the highest total for any Nanook. From three-point land, Briana Kirk hits 3.9 per game and has made 18 on the year to lead Alaska.
Kaillee Skjold's 6.5 rebounds per game and Stephanie Toumson's 6.1 is the best on the team.
Last time: In 2013-14, the Nanooks lost both meetings against the two teams. In late February, Alaska fell to Western Washington 91-65 in the Play 4Kay Game and followed that with a 69-67 defeat to Simon Fraser.
Opponent Need to Know: Western Washington and Simon Fraser are the second and third scoring teams in the GNAC, averaging over 77 points per game. Western Washington's Kayla Bernsen boasts the league's best FG-percentage at .562 (82-146) while Simon Fraser has the league's leading scorer in Erin Chambers (22.9 ppg).
Men's Basketball
Alaska has lost its last three games dating back to January 10. Prior to that however, the Nanooks had won three games in a row, including a GNAC series sweep over Simon Fraser and Western Washington. Last weekend, Alaska had losses to conference rivals Montana State Billings and Seattle Pacific.
The Nanooks are led in points by Ashton Edwards, who averages 14.3 a game, a mark that puts him amongst the league leaders (ninth). Edwards also leads the team with 6.4 3-pointers per contest and 3.1 assists.
Almir Hadzisehovic has 14 total blocks this year, putting him at six in the conference and has 4.5 rebounds per game.
Last Time: The last time NNU and Alaska tipped-off, the Nanooks earned a 108-104 win in triple overtime, and followed it up with a 85-76 victory over Central Washington.
Opponent Need to Know: Northwest Nazarene's top scorer is Erik Kinney, who is tied with Edwards amongst the league leaders with 14.3 points per game. Central Washington's Joseph Stroud leads the GNAC with a .725 FG percentage (66-91).
